Thursday, June 25, 1998 Last modified at 4:29 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 1998

Floyd County arena gets $100,000 boost with foundation gift

By MEGAN DONNELL

Avalanche-Journal

Floyd County's attempts to raise money for a multipurpose center got an unexpected jolt on Tuesday with the promise of a $100,000 challenge grant.

Floyd County Friends, a group of residents spearheading the fund-raising efforts, accepted its largest donation in three years from the Plainview-based James and Eva Mayer Foundation.

"Today is undoubtedly the biggest day for this project," said organization president Nick Long. "For another organization to recognize the worthiness of the project to serve all citizens of Floyd County and to lay $100,000 on the line says a lot."

But to officially receive the grant, the group must match that amount through local donations, pledges, or other grants before Jan. 1. The group has $200,000 in grants still pending and plans to mail out more in the next few months.

Monday's gift brings the organization's three-year fund-raising total to $264,121, almost half of the $600,000 needed to build the first phase of the $1 million facility just north of Muncy on U.S. 70 between Floydada and Lockney.

Funds earned for the first phase are earmarked for a 20,000-square-foot arena for stock and agriculture shows, youth activities, small-scale concerts and possibly the county fair.

Once the arena is built, organizers will focus on raising money for phase two: a 6,000-square-foot formal area for banquets, receptions and other meetings.

The new 26,000-square-foot building will handle at least 1,000 people.

The group already has received two $5,000 grants from Southwestern Bell and another $5,000 donation from Pioneer Hi-Bred International. More than $52,000 has been raised during annual galas during the past three years.

Dora Ross, first vice president and grant writing committee chairwoman for the organization, said county residents need to continue working together in order to meet the challenge presented Monday.

"If you have been contemplating making a donation or pledge, now is the time to do it.

"The citizens of the county have shown tenacious commitment to improving the quality of life by locking arms and pooling our resources to build this diverse facility we not only need, but will use for generations to come," Ross added. "Our proposed building is more than steel and concrete. It's about people, it's about unity, diversity and pride."